After the sentencing hearing, deputy assistant commissioner Dean Haydon, called Haque a "dangerous man" who was inspired by attacks in Europe and Westminster.

'Paralysed by fear'

"When specially trained officers interviewed the children, they described being shown by Haque horrific videos of extreme terrorist violence including executions," he said.

"They told police how Haque made them roleplay terrorists and police officers, with the children acting as terrorists being made to stab the 'police officers' to death.

"The children were paralysed by fear of Haque, who they understood to have connections to terrorists and who essentially told them that a violent fate would befall them if they told anyone what he was doing."

Haque was convicted earlier this month of two counts of preparing acts of terrorism and one count of collection of information useful to terrorism.

He had already admitted one count of dissemination of terrorist publications and three counts of collection of information useful to terrorism.

Fundraiser Abuthaher Mamun, 19, was jailed for 12 years with a further year on extended licence for helping Haque research and finance the plans.

Haque's confidant Muhammad Abid, 27, a qualified cupping therapist, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for failing to report the plot.